Shoulder rest for violins



Sept. 27, 1932. MEDAKOVlc 1,879,386

SHOULDER REST FOR VIOLINS Filed Dec. 23, 1930 [72 er! Z02". H

. or/zey Patented Sept. 27, 1932 MIBKO MEDAKOVIC, 0F ZAGREB, JUGOSLAVIA SHOULDER BEST FOR VIOLINS Application filed December 23, 1980, Serial No.

This invention relates to ashoulder rest for violins and consists of a flat strip with scythe-shaped longitudinal edges with raised bearing cheeks on the transverse ends and fixing means on the transverse sides. The rest when in use only bridges the bearing corner of the violin and its wide transverse end rests on the shoulder of the player, its narrow transverse end on the collar bone near the neck of the player and the inner or shorter scythe-shaped longitudinal edge of the rest fits the neck of the player. Owing to its fiat construction the rest is not in the way, not heavy and not very conspicuous.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 shows a bottom plan view of a violin with the shoulder rest in position for use.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the violin.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the rest on enlarged scale.

The rest consists of a scythe-shaped strip a the width of which narrows gradually from one end towards the other, and which is of such length that it extends in arc sh ape above that corner of the bottom plate of the violin, which is used as shoulder rest, without touching this portion. The two transverse ends of the strip have raised bearing cheeks b and 0. The broader end corner I) of the scytheshaped curved strip is on the left end, de signed to rest on the shoulder of the player, and the outer edge of this end of the rest is rounded so that when being mounted it can be adapted to the left hand ed e of the violin. The narrower end check 0 of t e rest fits on the opposite edge of the violin and is here fastened so that the rest, after having been fitted, extends from the shoulder of the player in arcuate shape to the collar bone near the neck. The height of the strip, formed by the rest owing to the end cheeks b and c is so selected that it equalizes the height from the shoulder to the chin of the player. The rest is pref- 504,315, and in J'ugoslavia December 30, 1929.

ployed. The outer surface of the rest is provided with a hollowing out 6, the depth of which reduces towards the narrower end of the rest, in order to ensure a good seating on the shoulder of the player. Moreover this surface may be roughened or provided with a rough covering, for example a fluted rubber layer f, in order to prevent the instrument from sliding on the shoulder of the player. Soft supports are provided on the bearing points of the bridge and of the fastening means for protecting the edge of the violin. If the rest is properly used, the violin will be held tightly and securely be- Needless to say,

tween shoulder and chin upon the player exerting a slight pressure with his chin. The

bottom plate does not touch the shoulder of the player and its vibration is not impeded in any way and at any point. The instrument sounds fuller and clearer when being played. The rest does not project at any point from the violin and is scarcely noticeable, it does not considerably increase the thickness and does not load the instrument on one side, as it bridges transversely over the bottom plate.

I claim:

1. A violin shoulder rest, comprising in combination a flat strip having two scytheshaped longitudinal edges and two transverse upstanding ends, bearing cheeks on said transverse ends adapted to fit the lower edge of the violin so that said strip extends bridgelike over the bearing corner of the violin, and'means on said cheeks adapted to fix said strip on the edge of the violin.

2. A violin shoulder. rest, comprising in combination a flat strip having two scytheshaped longitudinal edges, two transverse upstanding ends of different Widths, the under side of said strip having a recess increasing in depth from the short transverse end towards the long transverse end, a layer of rough material in said recess, supporting cheeks on each of said transverse ends adapted to fit the lower edge of the violin m so that said strip extends bridgelike over the bearing corner of the violin, and means on said cheeks for fixing said strip to the edge of the violin.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

MIRKO MEDAKOVIC. 

